Jargon busting and Beyonce.

*flash warning* – this is an (my) opinion piece and comes from my own experience – I’m open to healthy other views but don’t get your pitch forks out.

I mean, how many empty words do we really need in order to talk about what we do and how we do it? I’m here to call BS on a few, that I feel are often misused, under or overvalued and misunderstood – therefore adding to the already pounding headache that exists.

Take you – as someone that has set up a company this is an innate sense of opportunity, white space – seeing something that has not been before, a ‘you’ shape space in your market you want to carve out and nestle on into. That’s amazing, admirable, courageous.

And it can be for many different reasons – lifestyle, process, being a misfit, seeing a service that’s missing, whatever it may be.

In order to sustainably live in that space, your ‘you’ shape needs to remain relevant, of value and up to scratch to meet your client’s needs.

And for ME (highlight, underline, bold), there are a few ways to do it. Enter the jargon:

1. Creativity. Mary Portas writes in her insanely good book Work Like A Woman; “Creative thinking is central to any kind of business. It’s what kick-starts big ideas, challenges the norm and the way of doing stuff.” God, I love that woman. The dictionary definition is “the use of imagination or original ideas to create something.” It take courage, dreaming and non-judgement. For me, this is everything that is great and distinct to the human mind. Everyone thinks, sees, responses and problem solves differently. Everyone has the ability to CREATE. It’s not for the select few that went to art college. Creativity is often misunderstood as artistry or artistic expression. It’s an ability to observe, absorb and piece together all those things in a new way – creating something new, solving the problem from a new angle, in a new way, perhaps even reframing the problem in the first place. No need for glitter pens or getting your paints out.

2. Innovation. The dictionary describes it as: “the action or process of innovating, alteration, evolution.” I see innovation as a tweak of what’s already been – be it technology, digital devices, foods, drinks…. Companies LOVE to band around innovation, and it helps keep things moving forward, one-foot in front of the other, iteration by iteration. For me it’s not about invention or creation, but evolution. No problem here, I don’t, however, see this where big shifts and quantum leaps are made, but it plays a role. Don’t shoot me down.

3. Disruption. Enter buzz word of the 2020’s. It’s THE word that seems to get a lot of middle-aged men inappropriately excited. The dictionary describes it as: “forcible separation or division; a radical change in an industry that results in a new market.” Not sure I like the sentiment of forcible separating anything. TRUE disruption is golden. It’s super hard. It takes a certain brain, passion and appetite to really see this through and succeed. Because not only is this something entirely new and shifted, is often creates entirely new playing fields as a result – new categories, platforms, markets and new audiences. Being the first take a lot of courage and thick skin, an unwavering drive. BUT. Disruption comes on a spectrum. It can be subtle, quiet, smart and stealth. It doesn’t have to come like a bull in a china shop and be disruptIVE. Clients I have worked with have had their businesses and worlds completely disrupted by my own work – turning things on their head, changing how they look at their work, transform how they feel about themselves and how they serve their clients. That’s also disruption. Did we create new categories and ground-breaking new technologies – no. Did we enable someone to own their ‘you’ shape and confidently go out and support their clients in a new way – yes.

4. Authenticity. Ahhh, it feels kinda yucky saying it. It’s another overused word that has been highjacked and placed in the hippy-dippy, woo-woo box that is often mocked for lacking weight and actionable meaning. But the dictionary defines this beautifully as: “the quality of being real or true.” For me, this is where is all starts. The biggest issue I have with this word is so many business leaders (especially women I work with) have no sodding clue what their true authentic self even is. Many have struggled with their identities having been chewed up by their corporate jobs and spat out, having children and played a key role for so long they are disconnected from themselves, those that are empty nesters, newly divorced, been made redundant and have lost their sense of purpose – their why. This is huge, and takes a lot of hard work to get it back. And so, to band it around with any sense of frivolity takes away the deep work it takes to get there and then proudly standing in that space. That moment you know absolutely know, embrace who you are, own your strengths and weaknesses, know what you want and what you don’t, not afraid to ask for help whilst also saying not to what doesn’t serve you. It takes huge guts. And it’s magical when you can unapologetically be you. Jackpot. Because there IS NO COMPETITION. There is no need for external validation. It’s just you, in your ‘you’ shape, attracting other people who want a bit of that too.

Those are my thoughts on how you can maintain and grow (if you want to) your business.

Now let’s look at the broader context of which are most relevant. Because we can’t do all the things, all the time, and some of these may not be relevant to you (I hear “should I be more disruptive, should I innovate my services every year?”).

If we look at the number of self-employed females and business leaders since the crash of 2008, it’s been steadily increasing and owe to the majority of the overall rise across the board. Why? Because the working world isn’t built for them – for the mothers, carers, the talented multitaskers that actually run the world (thank you, Beyonce). And so, they’re branching out, to do it for themselves, on their terms. To suit their needs and have considerable freedoms to adapt to their lives and approaches to working.

AND I’M HERE FOR THESE LADIES.

What is, then, most important if you’re a female founder, self-employed or leading a team? For me, it HAS to start with tapping into your own story and purpose – what it means to be authentically you, and leaning into that, hard. This alone will get your creative juices flowing as you aren’t marred by traditional barriers and obstacles – you’re free to do what you do, how you do it. » Work becomes a playground, being able to creatively do what you love without comparison. » Finding you voice and using it. » Expressing yourself and not being shy about it.

If you then choose to go and disrupt, or innovate, then good for you. But you will be coming at it from a free, creative and authentic space. And that sounds pretty great.

So, take from this what you will – let go of the rest.

If you want to live a life that’s unapologetically you, then check out my new UNAPOLOGETIC RETREAT in the Algarve, Portugal this October 21-29 – a retreat like now other that brings together mindset, brand and business.

Time to start with you – carve out that space and be your own bloody Beyonce.

Lauren